Visitors can explore Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas this summer with a variety of free ranger-led programs for all ages and abilities, from night hikes to fishing and off-trail adventures.
The site in southeast Texas features hiking trails and waterways that wind through nine different ecosystems, providing opportunities for hiking, kayaking and unique flora and fauna including carnivorous plants. Established in 1974, Big Thicket is the country's first national preserve. It stretches across seven counties, with the visitor center located in Kountze, Texas
Here's a look at what's on tap this summer at Big Thicket:
- Night Hikes: Explore some of the stories that make Big Thicket special and mysterious on monthly night hikes.
- Canoe Trips: Paddle the scenic waters of the preserve with three kinds of canoe trips: daytime, sunset, and trash clean-ups. These trips require reservations, which open two weeks before the trip date.
- Texas Free Fishing Day: Kids and families can learn all about fishing, including knots and fishing limits, and even try fishing from the bank with a ranger. No fishing license is required and all gear is provided. Stop by Collier’s Ferry Park in Beaumont between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7.
- Nature Walks: Big Thicket is home to four kinds of carnivorous plants that consume insects. Join a ranger for a 1-mile walk at the Pitcher Plant Trail to look for these unusual plants in the wild. No reservations are required.
- Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures: Explore lesser-known areas of the park with a ranger while learning about its history and biodiversity. Hikers should expect rugged conditions that include walking off-trail through the woods and along dirt roads. These trips require reservations.
- Volunteer Days: These include activities like cleaning up a launch area or getting into canoes for a creek cleanup. See information on canoe trips above.
- Summer Stargazing at Tyrrell Park: Look for planets through telescopes and learn how to navigate using the stars. Kids can experience the wonders of space with activities inside the nature center. Meet at the Tyrrell Park Nature Center in Beaumont between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.
See the park's calendar of events for more details, including dates, times, and places.
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